Endometriosis | Chronic Pelvic Pain

Chronic Pelvic Pain – defined as pain originating below the belly button and lasting more then 6 months – can deeply impact women’s lives. So, diagnosing the cause is key to improving your life and health. The leading cause of chronic pelvic pain is a condition called Endometriosis[i].

What is Endometriosis?

Endometriosis is an often painful and frustrating condition where the tissue which lines the uterus – know as the endometrium- begins to grow outside in the abdominal cavity often involving the ovaries, bowel and pelvic lining.

The endometrium is the tissue which responds to a woman’s hormonal cycles and fills with blood then sheds it through the cervix during her menstrual cycle. When endometrial tissue that is outside the uterus tried to shed this blood it becomes trapped in the tissue can causes sever pain and abscesses.

Infertility. Endometriosis is first diagnosed in some women who are seeking treatment for infertility.

Other symptoms. You may also experience fatigue, diarrhea, constipation, bloating or nausea, especially during menstrual periods.

However the severity of the symptoms is not an indication of the severity of the condition. Someone with a mild case may have severe pain while someone with an advanced case may had little or no discomfort. If you are having symptoms it is important to see your GYN to avoid complications if the condition becomes advanced.

Menstrual cycles shorter than 27 days with bleeding lasting longer than eight days

Any medical condition that prevents the normal passage of menstrual flow

A history of pelvic infection

How is Endometriosis Diagnosed?

Be prepared when you go into your GYN’s office do disrobe the type and location of the pain you are experiencing. This will help them eliminate other causes of your pelvic pain.

If your symptoms fit Endometriosis there are a number of tests that doctor may order to try and diagnose the condition and determine the best course of treatment: [iv]

The Pelvic exam. You doctor may manually check your vagina and like they would for a normal yearly exam. This may allow the doctor to find any obvious abnormalities – however unless the endometriosis has caused large cysts it may be impossible to tell if it is there.

Ultrasound. The Doctor may also order a vaginal and abdominal ultrasound. The abdominal ultrasound is done by placing a wand like device on the abdomen. A vaginal ultrasound involves inserting a smaller wand like device into the vagina. In both tests use sound waves to provide a video image of the uterus, fallopian tubes and ovaries. Although this test is not conclusive it can tell if you have developed cysts which may indicate endometriosis.

·Laparoscopy. The only way for your doctor to know for certain that you have endometriosis is by looking inside your abdomen for visual signs. This is usually done with a minor surgery called a laparoscopy.

For a laparoscopy patients normally have a small does of general anesthetic so that they sleep through the procedure. Using a special needle, your surgeon expands your abdomen with a harmless gas so that the reproductive organs are easier to see. By making a small incision in the bellybutton the doctor inserts a tiny camera. By moving the laparoscope around, your surgeon can view the pelvic and other abdominal organs, looking for signs of endometrial tissue outside the uterus.

If you have endometriosis, laparoscopy will provide you and your doctor with information about the location, extent and size of the endometrial buildup. This will allow you to make a definitive plan to treat your condition effectively.

How do you Treat Endometriosis?

You and your doctor will discuss what treatments might be most helpful if you are diagnosed with endometriosis. Every case is different and so every treatment plan will vary according to your conditions and concerns. However, there are three main approaches to treating this condition.[v]

Pain Medication: The most basic approach to endometriosis is to treat the symptoms with pain medication. Many over the counter medications which are commonly used for regular menstrual discomfort can ease the pain associate with endometriosis, however if this does not work then other approaches may be better for you.

Hormone Therapies: There are a number of different hormonal therapies which have been found to slow or stop endometriosis. Medications which control or block estrogen levels or the production of ovarian stimulating hormones can be an effective treatment in some cases. Oral contraceptives, Depo provera, Gn- RH antagonists and agonists or Danazol may be recommended depending on your medical history. These medications work in different ways to reduce the stimulation and production of endometrial cells which will help reduce symptoms. These treatments do not cure endometriosis – but they do help control symptoms.

Surgical Interventions: Conservative approaches to surgical treatment of Endometriosis are generally done through Laparoscopic surgery to remove cysts, adhesions and build up of endometrial tissue outside of the uterus. This is usually recommended for patients who wish to become pregnant because it preserves the uterus, fallopian tubes and ovaries. More radical approaches to surgical intervention would be a total hysterectomy - or removal of the uterus, cervix and ovaries. By removing the reproductive system – particularly both ovaries – the hormonal cycle which cause endometrial pain is also stopped. This is will cure the condition but is usually the last resort because after this procedure the patient will no longer be able to have children.

[ii] The following is a summary of the information by Mayo Clinic Staff Writer. “Endometriosis” in Mayo Clinic Health Information August 2, 2011. http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/endometriosis/DS00289/DSECTION=symptoms